PLACES OF INTEREST IN LARNACA - ANCIENT CHURCHES



The town with an easy-going pace, having strong links to the past .

The remains of the ancient city-kingdom of Kition is found in the heart of modern Larnaca.

Kition is the birthplace of the philosopher Zeno, founder of the Stoic School, and it is here that Saint Lazarus came to live after his resurrection.



THE CHURCH OF SAINT LAZARUS

One of the most important surviving Byzantine monuments of the whole of Cyprus, built in 890. The resurrected friend of Christ, St. Lazarus escaped to ancient Kition on 33 A.D. and it became his second home for 30 more years.

His tomb lies under the sanctuary and can be visited. St. Lazarus is the patron saint of the city. He was ordained Bishop of Kition by Saints Barnabas and Mark.

Visitors can see the tomb of Saint Lazarus under the sanctuary and the ecclesiastical museum behind the church .

Some woodcarving of the golden surfaced iconostas were completed the 17th century

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THE ANGELOKTISTI CHURCH

This church is found at Kiti village which is about 11 km west of Larnaca.

In Greek it is called "Panagia Angeloktisti –meaning (built by Angels).

It is an 11th Century building with a rare 6th century mosaic considered to be the finest on the island.

(I was driven to this church the first day of my trip to Cyprus by Angela my cousin. It was dark however the time we reached here, and the photos were not the best, So I had to visit Kiti village again the following day with the help of Lefteris this time who drove me here, and to some other spots in Larnaca. I want to thank them both because I managed to take some beautiful photos) .


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THE PHANEROMENI CHURCH

On the way to the Airport there is the underground chapel of Ayia Phaneromeni. It is a rock cavern with the two chambers, once a pagan tomb.

It is believed that those who suffer from headaches or other diseases walk three times round it and leave a piece of clothing or a tuft of their hair.
It is also visited by girls, whose lovers are overseas, who come here to pray for their safety.

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